Catapult return system



31, 1961 c. M. SCHEUERMAN 2,969,942

CAIAPULT RETURN SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1959 jvwwvto'b CHARLES M.SGHEUERMAN United States Patent CATAPULT RETURN SYSTEM Charles M.Scheuerman, Timonium, Md., assignor, by mesne assignments, to the UnitedStates of America as represented by the Secretary of the 'Navy FiledJuly 28, 1959, Ser. No. 830,172

2 Claims. (Cl. 244-63) The present invention relates to a power returnsystem for catapults. More particularly, the invention relates to apower return system for pressure operated launching devices wherein theenergy remaining in the firing cylinder after a launcher is fired isutilized for returning the launcher to its initial position. Heretofore,it has been necessary to use a separate pressure system for returningthe launching car and the remaining energy in the firing cylinder waswastefully expended in the atmosphere. Other devices in the prior artdisclose a manual means of returning the launcher to its originalposition. These methods require considerable time and effort.

An object of the present invention is to return a launching car inpressure operated launching devices with a minimum of effort and time.

Another object is to provide a power return system which utilizes theexcess pressure in a firing cylinder for returning a launcher to itsinitial firing position.

Still another object of the invention is to mechanize the power returnof a launching car to its original position in a quick and efiicientmanner.

A further object is to provide a power return for catapults which issimple in construction, efiicient in operation, and durable in service.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

The figure is a diagrammatic view of a catapult apparatus according tothe invention and showing the components at the end of its launchingstroke and also showing the components in accelerating position inphantom mes.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a sheave is mounted on afixed support 11. Spaced a substantial distance from sheave 10 is asecond sheave 12, which is also mounted on a support 13 for rotationthereon. An endless belt 14 passes over the sheaves 10 and 12 and hassecured thereto on the upper run a launching car 15 which is adapted toengage an aerodynamic body, for example, a target drone, or the like.The lower run of belt 14 has secured thereto a driving piston 16 whichis enclosed in an elongated firing cylinder 17. The opposite end ofcylinder 17 is provided with a pressure equalizing chamber 18 containinga length of apertured tubing 19 in axial alignment with cylinder 17 andof the same diameter. The tubing 19 is apertured to permit pressurizedfluid to pass into the chamber as piston 16 passes into tubing 19, thusto equalize pressure on both sides of the piston as will be hereinafterdescribed. Mounted on the sheave 10 is a driven sprocket and clutch 20with a belt 21 connected thereto for receiving energy from a pneumaticmotor 22. The firing cylinder 17 is connected at one end by a conduit 23with a source of pressure (not shown). A firing valve 24 is connected inconduit 23 whereby the cylinder 17 and a secondary conduit 25 may beconnected to or shut 011 from the source of pressure. Also combined withthe conduit 25 is a return valve 26 which may be opened for operation ofthe motor 22.

The operation of the catapult return system is as follows:

The figure shows the power system at the end of a launching stroke priorto returning the launching car 15 to its battery position. As a result,the firing cylinder 17 is pressurized and the firing valve 24 has beenclosed to shut ofi the source of outside pressure. In order to returnthe launching car 15 to its initial or battery position the firingcylinder 17 is now used as a pressure source. Operation of the returnvalve 26 by manual means permits the pressurized air to flow from thecylinder 17 through the pneumatic motor 22 to atmosphere. The pneumaticmotor 22 is driven by the fluid flow therethrough which is caused by thepressure differential between firing cylinder 1'7 and atmosphere. Themotor 22 is coupled to the sheave 10 through the sprocket and clutch 20by means of the belt 21. The clutch serves to disconnect the motor 22 sothat it will not be subjected to high launching speeds. The actuation ofthe valve 26 and clutch 20 are operated simultaneously by a singlecontrol handle (not shown). When the piston 16 is in the area of theequalizing chamber 18, the piston has equal pressure on both ends;thereby exerting no force on the belt 14. During the interval of thereturn stroke in which the piston 16 is within the chamber 18, all powerfor returning is derived from the motor 22. After leaving the chamberarea, as shown in phantom lines, the piston contributes a force to thebelt 14 to assist in the return of the launching car 15. The piston 16exerts this force as a result of a decrease in pressure on one sidewhich, in turn, is due to the air being bled off to the motor, while thehigher pressure remaining in chamber 18 is exerted on the opposite side.This pressure will vary from a maximum to a minimum value as the piston16 returns to its initial or battery position.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay bev practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pressure operated launching device; a pair of spaced sheaves, anendless belt passing over said sheaves and having an upper run and alower run, a firing cylinder fixedly mounted between said sheaves, thelower run of said belt passing through said cylinder, a driving pistonfixedly mounted on said belt for linear movement in said cylinder from afiring position to a terminal position, a first conduit connected to oneend of said cylinder and adapted to be attached to a fluid pressuresource. a rotary pneumatic motor, a secondary conduit fluidly connectingsaid first conduit with said motor, a second belt connecting said motorto one of said sheaves. a first valve means in said first conduit forpermitting said fluid under pressure to flow into said firing cylinderto drive said first belt and operate said launching device, a secondvalve means in said secondary conduit for permitting pressure remainingin said cylinder after firing to pass through said motor and therebyrotate said second belt and sheave to return said piston to said firingposition.

2. The apparatus of claim I further comprising a clutch means locatedbetween said one of said sheaves and said motor whereby said motor canbe disengaged during high speed tiring phases.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,347,105 Mesurier July 20, 1920 2,125,904 Fellers Aug. 9, 19382,827,248 Van Zelm Mar. 18, 1958

